Proteasome Subunit Alpha Type 7 Promotes Proliferation and Metastasis of Gastric Cancer Through MAPK Signaling Pathway

Background: Proteasome subunit alpha type 7 (PSMA7) shows a carcinogenic effect on various human malignancies, but its role and regulatory mechanism in gastric carcinoma (GC) remain unclear.

Aims: This study aimed to explore the role and mechanism of PSMA7 in GC.

Methods: In this study, PSMA7 expressions in GC cells and tissues were detected, and relationships between PSMA7 and clinicopathological features were explored. Then, PSMA7 levels in human GC cells were intervened, and changes in cell biological behavior were observed in vitro and vivo. Key proteins and downstream factors of MAPK signaling pathway were detected after PSMA7 intervention.

Results: PSMA7 was upregulated in GC tissues and cell lines. PSMA7 overexpression was significantly associated with poor pTNM, cTNM stage, and high HP infection. PSMA7 can promote proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of GC cells in vitro and vivo. Furthermore, PSMA7 expression affected the phosphorylation level of JNK, P38, ERK and the expressions of their downstream factors Ap-1, c-myc, P53.

Conclusion: PSMA7 can promote GC proliferation, invasion, and metastasis through MAPK signaling pathway in GC cells.